MHSAA Post Summer Division II Rankings
A funny thing happened on the way to a deadline… I had intended to do a post June ranking for all four of Michigan’s classifications. I was successful in doing Divisions III and IV. This is where I would normally make a quip about needing an editor on my eponymous website.
However, a lack of focus is not to be blamed for the delay. Quite the contrary in fact. In my years of doing this. I have never been flooded with so many transfer rumors at Michigan’s highest levels (often true) These rumors were compounded by a spate of serious injuries to key players. These kept me from pulling the publish trigger on my long gestating lists. So as schools start in the waning moments of August. Let’s call this a… “Not Too Early, but Still Kind of Early, and Subject to Change Division II Top Ten Ranking.” Doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but I’ll work on it.
First a quick word about details. Bigger divisions, means bigger enrollments, and deeper teams. At a later point I’ll try and give you as much of a rotation as possible. With some exceptions, I’ll try and limit capsules three players a piece.
Secondly, this is meant to be a merely a snapshot and a completely fluid list. If you disagree, feel free to let me know.
**last year’s record in parentheses**
1. Romulus Summit Academy North (24-4)
Number one with a bullet. This was the most impressive team I saw during the June period. The Dragons looked outstanding as a unit during team camps. They appear to have found some stability on the bench after having three head coaches in three years.
They have long featured deep and talented backcourts. This year is no different as Jordan Fuller (Tiffin) and Marquan White (6-2) look poised to continue this backcourt tradition. However the x-factor might come from the wing/post. Chance Houser (6-5) put together a breakout spring/summer with The Family on the prestigious EYBL circuit. His versatility, size, and skillset will make him a major matchup problem.
I don’t generally write about freshman. I’ve also reached my three player quota for the Dragons. Just keep in my mind. There is some serious young talent and depth in this program.
2. Ferndale (10-14)
With a recent out of state transfer, the Eagles still might be a year away from taking the next step. However they might have arguably the best junior class in the state. Fronted by 6-7 Eden Vinyard. By the numbers, Vinyard is the highest ranked upperclass prospect in the state. He has fully completed the transition from the post to the wing , and is a consensus top 100 recruit nationally.
He will be joined by 6-6 junior Kari Ouwinga. Like Vinyard, he can play on the block and the wing. Ouwinga had a strong spring/sumner on the Under Armour circuit with the Grand Rapids Storm. Senior Darelle Cochran (6-5) is another big body to watch and gives the squad an imposing and versatile frontline.
The aforementioned high profile out of state transfer did not play with the squad last year. Consequently, there will not be much of an adjustment period needed for a talented but young backcourt. They will play their usual gauntlet of a schedule. That being said, I would expect much better than a 14 loss season from this talented group in the coming year.
3. Hudsonville Unity Christian (20-3)
This might not be the most scientific logic. However the parochial school hegemony in West Michigan is real. South Christian (2023), Grand Rapids Christian (2024) and Catholic Central (2025) have made Breslin runs in the last three years. It seems like Crusaders “turn” to break through.
In all seriousness they are the healthiest and deepest unit among the “big four”. They are coming off an outstanding regular season and return much of their extremely deep and balanced rotation. They are kind of a “Noah’s Ark” team with two of everything on the roster. They will challenge my three player minimum.
They almost always feature size. This year is no different with 6-7 senior Owen Vander Waal. Coming off a strong grassroots campaign. He is accumulating opportunities to play at the next level. The backcourt will be helmed by seniors Kyler Berghuis and Brogan Sherd. Both run about 6-2 and are multi talented. This group largely runs with same AAU program and have played a lot of basketball together. They should be a tough out in March.
4. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (21-8)
After advancing to the semifinals last year and returning a lot of firepower. The Cougars had strong case for the top spot in June. A serious injury to their top player might have dampened those expectations slightly.
That being said, there is still a lot of talent in this program as the ranking would suggest. I have long been a believer in point guard Jordan McCoy. The 6-2 senior might be one of the more underrated players in the state. Played well against the vaunted Blackwell twins and Warren Lincoln last year on the state’s biggest stage.
He will be joined in the backcourt by fellow 6-2 versatile senior Brieland Watkins. Watkins had a strong spring/summer and has plenty of big game experience in the program. If the frontline can coalesce around senior Ty Moody (6-5) the Cougars could be back at the Breslin Center. This program is loaded with intriguing question marks. If the deep underclassman talent can develop. Or if they can return to full health. This could once again be the top team in the division.
5. Lansing Sexton (19-6)
Coming off a thrilling quarterfinal run. Sexton returns much of their now senior laden rotation, and should be primed for another big season. Point guard Keyshawn Summerville (5-10) helms a deep and talented backcourt with multiple scoring and playmaking options.
Guard play will not be a concern for Sexton. Can a frontcourt develop to complete this rotation? After watching Terryon Skipworth (6-4) at an open run a few weekends ago. The answer is moving closer to yes. The bouncy senior could form a nice duo with 6-6 junior Korey Jackson. This is Sexton’s strongest team since the legendary Denzel Valentine led state championship squads.
6. Freeland (22-4)
The Falcons came within a whisker of the Breslin Center last year and return their entire team. You did read that correctly. I could wrong. But I do not believe the Falcon’s had a senior night last year, as the team was all juniors. They run disciplined and regimented half court sets that provide plenty of open shots.
Fortunately they return arguably the best shooter in the state with senior Wilson Huckeby. The Saginaw Valley St commit has plenty of size at 6-4 which gives him the ability to get his own shot when needed. Many of those designed open looks come from the picks of wide bodied Michigan St football commit Tristan Comer (6-6) Comer is a skilled player who is doing much more than cardio work on the hardwood.
The one addition to the Falcon’s well oiled machine is Saginaw Swan Valley transfer Cooper Wagner. If the always fickle MHSAA transfer gods comply. The 6-0 guard should provide a much needed playmaking component to an offensive attack that didn’t need much help.
7. Grand Rapids Christian (15-10)
After a 2024 state final appearance. The rebuilding Eagles got off to a quick start before faltering a bit after Christmas. With a lot firepower returning. I would expect a more consistent campaign this year. It starts with college bound senior duo of Carl Thompson and 6-5 Connor Johnson (Northern Michigan).
Thompson is one of the smoothest scoring wings in the state and most likely headed to a Division I opportunity at the next level. Johnson had a breakout campaign with an Indiana AAU squad, and should have a big senior season. If Christian’s youth can develop around this duo. Watch out for junior point guard Braylon Taylor. The Eagles could find themselves back in state title contention.
8. Detroit Old Redford (19-3)
Another Detroit area program that was impacted by a high profile out of state transfer. The Ravens will still be very good but they have lost some depth along the frontline. The focus of the team will probably shift to the perimeter where they will feature one of the better backcourts in the state.
Seniors Drew Wilson (Grand Valley St) and Jaylin Muldrow are an experienced and talented duo. Both run about 6-2 and are explosive athletically. Muldrow is more of a point guard, while Wilson is a walking bucket who began his career at West Bloomfield.
The x-factor will be the development of junior Devin Brown. Brown is physically advanced stocky 6-3 guard/forward whose frame makes him a matchup nightmare. If Brown can take the next step as an upperclassman, the Ravens should maintain their status near the top Division II.
9. Warren Lincoln (23-4)
Yes, they lose nearly all of the production from last year’s team. However the Abe’s have been the class of this division for a while. It doesn’t feel right leaving them off. They will be young, but based on what I saw this spring and summer. They have reloaded quickly. Sophomore Ignire Muhammad-El is a do it all prospect who played well with The Family. The 6-4 forward does a little bit of everything on a long projectable frame.
There are a host of other young players that state championship head coach Wydell Henry has the abilty to turn to. Watch out for fellow sophomores Coby Bruce (6-0) and Julian Edison (6-3) as well. Lincoln is another program that schedules uber aggressively. Consequently the record might not look great come March. However don’t surprised if they are a factor by at the end.
10. Goodrich (19-6)
We began with some Dragons. We will end with some Martians. After winning a gridiron state championship. Goodrich got to a very slow start. With four losses coming before Christmas. However they rebounded with two loss 2025 run and a district title. While they graduated some production. They should remain one of the top Division II programs in the Flint area.
They will be led by Jensen LaPla. The 6-5 junior wing is a multi talented athlete who plays easily above the rim. He is coming off a strong summer with D Rice Elite, against some of the top players in the Midwest.
While LaPla holds down the perimeter. The post will be manned by fellow 6-5 junior Drew Aagesen. A completely different prospect than LePla. Aagesen is a wide bodied football recruit who can surprise with his bounce and skill level. If the backcourt can develop around the beef. The Martians could break through to the Breslin Center. After knocking on the door for quite some time as a program.
